Holiday Extravaganza

Nov. 11, 2010

I just wanted to share a little proud moment of a mother. I'm attending a Holiday Extravaganza as a vendor today and my Mckaya and Zane's school. We had to set up last night because they are also having a Veteren's program there and to keep the traffic down somewhat they asked us to set up the night before.

I had 4 clothes racks, plus 4 totes with my clothes in and tables and all the other stuff that you take when you are trying to sell your hobby to the public, anyway, my husband helped me load it up and went with me to set it all up. My daughter-in-law had said that she would come to the school and help, but I told her that we could do it, not to bother.

So me and my husband get to the school figure out where we needed to park to unload all this stuff, and go inside the gym to see where my spot will be and I hear someone call my name and say "your over here". Yup, you guessed it, coming towards us is my daughter-in-law and the 2 kids.

Of course the kids think it's pretty cool to be at their school at night, and they want to help unload so grandpa gives them the lightest of things to carry in, and they are happy to be helping. As were bringing in and trying to decide how we should set it up, I turn around and their is my son coming in and he's coming straight from work, work clothes and all.

Thanks to my family, an hour and a half later we are all set up and ready to make some sells today. Of course it took several opions and stepping back to see what will look best, but it's really nice to know how much my family loves me.

I think what I'm saying is you know that your family loves you, but it's great when they take time out of the own lives to help you in your life when it means that much to you. So I wanted to take time out and just say Thank you to Tracy and Brian and the kids, oh yea, and my husband John for their help and support and mostly for their love. I love all of you, and I have to say that if my other 3 kids would have been here they would have been right there to and it's a good feeling to know that.
So that's the good thing about having my own blog, I can write whatever I want and I wanted to share my family with you.

dsthreadsdownsouth out for now.

DSC01608 (1 photo), by samantha evans

I wanted to share with you my other granddaughter, this is Kinsley, 4 years old, and they live in Ok. so I don't get to see her very often, and I miss her so much. She's a little cutie,and a pistol, if you can't judge that for your self. Her mom sent me these pic. so I thought you might enjoy them.
Click here to view photos

DSC01659 (1 photo), by samantha evans

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

DSC01672 (1 photo), by samantha evans

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

DSC01669 (1 photo), by samantha evans

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

What I've been up to

Oct 28,2010

I know I've been missing lately from my blog, so wanted to show you why. My daughter-in-law informed me that it is gonna be getting cold here soon, and my granddaughter is still wearing the summer clothes that I made her, hinting that she needs some winter ones.

In the first picture is a purple fleece caplet that I made for both of my granddaughters, Mckayla, and Kinsley. I think it turned out really cute, being that I have never used fleece before, super easy to work with. This one goes up to a size 6, but would'nt be much of a problem to make it bigger.

In the second set of pic. is my 6 year old grandson, Zane, who is modeling a Carolina hat I make, mostly for girls, but he was being silly and wanted to model something.

In the 3rd set of pic. is a Mckayla in a blue stripped Capri set with pleats in the front of the shirt, very wash and wear outfit. She was trying to pout in the 2nd pic.but she's 8 so we'll give it to her anyway. The pattern for this outfit goes to a size 6, but McKayla is 8 and most of the patterns run big. I make her a size 6 except in the length shneeds an 8, so it's very easy to make alot of these fit a lot of different size girls.

The next dress is an oriental print with black pipping going across the ches area and the sleeves. I did'nt get a pic of her in this, but she absolutely loved this after I got it finished. The skirt of the dress is fuller and a little longer, goes right below her knee. Like I said she loved this dress, we went to out to eat, she wore it, had to wait a few minutes to get seated and she kept looking at her self in the window, twirling back and forth. This pattern starts at a 3 and goes up to an 8.

The next set is a jersey knit, with contrasting pink knit sleeves, with a little flounce at the top of the sleeve. The bodice is a mock wrap around and the skirt is full. I've never worked with knits before either, so it was a learning experience also, and I learned that knits are very forgiving so this probably could have been made a size smaller, this pattern starts at 6 and goes to 14.

The next is a pattern form Daisy Kingdom, and has 3 different materials in it. If you look close the pockets, bottom trim, the bow, and the belt are made of one material, the neck line, and bottom part of the sleeves, and the second bottom trim are made of another material, while the main part of the dress is yet another material. I had a lot of "firsts" making these dresses, I have never put 3 different materials in 1 outfit before. She said this was another one of her favorites. This pattern is from 5 to 8.

The next dress is made out of soft flannel, another material I have'nt made dresses out of, but love the way it came together. This has buttons all the way down the front, 2 front pockets, long sleeves with buttoned cuffs, also has the tab and buttons on the sleeves that you can roll up and secure, with a ruffle at the bottom. This is 7 to 14.

Mckayla is very funny, she does'nt really like wild colors right off the bat, they have to grow on her, so this next one she was'nt to crazy about at first. It's multi colored crepe and really has a nice flow to it. It's 3 quarter sleeves, with a gathered bodice and a ruffle at the bottom. The neck line is a cut v needing a shirt worn under neath. This one I was worried about the length cause I only had it to a size 6, but with some leggings it will be really cute. This starts at size 3 to 6.

The next dress is actually for my other granddaugher, Kinsley, but she tried it on anyway. Kinsley is 4 but she wears a 6 only shorter length. This is pink corduroy,with a pattern of butterflys and zigzag material for the 2 bottom flounces. The inside is lined down to the flounces. I cut some of the butterflies out of the left over material and appliqued them onto the top part of the dress, just enough to tie them into the bottom of the dress. This was also one of her favorites, so guess I will have to make her one like it.

So has you can see I have been a busy little bee, also made 3 dresses and the purple caplet for Kinsley, but she lives in Ok. so had to send them to her, she called when she got them and said "I like my pretty clothes", gotta love those grandkids.

I know this is rather a long post, but figured while I was here I would put them all together at one time. I gave you the sizes that the patterns come in and a little idea how they fit, so if you want something recreated it is possible, these are just ideas that I've made for my girls, you can chose any color combinations that you want. If interested e-mail me at d.sthreaddownsouth@yahoo.com for complete pricing and details. I will look forward to hearing from ya'll.

That's it for me , dsthreads out for now.

Success at City Market

Sept 21, 2o10

If ya'll recall a few weeks ago I told you about a "city market on Main" that they were having in our downtown area. It is held at the museum courtyard every Friday in the months of Sept. and Oct. You basically take what you want to sell and set up the booth and hope that you make enough to at least pay for you to set up there.

It is smack in the middle of our downtown area, and I thought it would be a good place to get some exposure and hopefully some sells. Now mind you it is still in the 90's here so you really have to have some kindof shelter, a canopy, and of course you have to have the things you are trying to sell.

So I have to carry this canopy and 2 big totes with my clothes in it plus my chair, a table so I can set out my oven mitt sets and the buisness cards, and the 3 racks to hang the clothes on so people can see them.

You have to move your car to a garage a block away, walk back and proceed to set all this stuff up, sweating like nobody's business and the collapse in the chair and wait for the money to roll in. You are set up for 4 hrs. and after you had a fablous day, you have to take down what you did'nt sell pack it all up, walk a block to get your car, load it back up, and on the drive home, think "AM I TOTALLY CRAZY".

The first week I did'nt sell a thing, not one thing. The second week I sold an oven mitt, which didnot cover the price of setting up. Last week I actually made a profit, which I was so happy about, I felt success at last. Now on the 2 previous weeks I had alot of people stop and look and they said that my clothes were really cute and made very well, but no buyers.

I can't tell you how happy I was to actually sell some of my things, it made the day alot better even knowing all you have to go through to get to that point. I will be going back this Friday, even though it will be 90 again, I'm so ready for cool weather, and hopefully will have more success. The one thing my kids keep telling me is " Your getting out of the house" so it is worth it.

I hope ya'll have a great week and I will let you know how it goes.

dsthreadsdownsouth out for now.

What I've made for myself

Sept. 9, 2010

I told you in an earlier post that I was going to make something for myself for a change, have'nt done it in quite awhile. So I got them finished and was so thrilled with them that I had my son take a few pic. of them so I could share them with you.

Let me start off by saying you can't really tell how old you are getting till you see your self in pictures. I really do not like seeing pic. of myself, but I thought it would look better than hanging on a hanger. This top, I have to say, I love it. It took only about 2 hrs to make, the material was on sale, always love that, and it's just a fun top. The two top sides drape down the front and make a cool feature, then the back is longer, covers the butt, which I like. I love the colors, it reminds me that fall will be here soon.

Now for the winter suit. I have to admit something right off hand. When I look at a pattern, if it has a lining, or cuffs, or zippers and waistbands, I have to think twice before I try to do it. I saw this pattern and loved the way the jacket was made, it just looked like with the right material it would be really snugly in the winter.

I'm not the best at picking out the right material for the right pattern, but I was looking and saw this chocolate brown tweed, on sale, and thought that it would really be "rich" looking. So I put my fears aside, bought the pattern and material, took them home, started reading the instructions and thought I had lost my mind! There was like 11 pieces for the jacket alone, but I knew it would really be a nice winter outfit when I got done. So I started at the beginning and just kept plugging away at it, and I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

You can't really tell what the material is like, but it is a dark brown tweed with light brown threads running through it. I could have made a few adjustments to it, like the cuffs are a little long, the waist is a little high, I forgot that I usually cut the top of the pants down a little, but all of this was after the fact and it still works for me. The jacket really is'nt as bulky as the picture made it seem, I think that's from me posing. As you can see the butt of the pants fit really well. My son kept saying just don't stand there, pose or do something so I did.

Let me just say that when you work with tweed it is a BIG MESS it ravels like nobody's business. I have carpet in my sewing room, and I had to vacuum a total of 4 times by the time I was finished. I had to be extra careful in handling it just to keep the raveling down. I forgot to mention that the jacket is lined, thank goodness, and that was a challenge to me also, but as far as the fit and the look of the suit, I could'nt be happier or more proud of it.

Thanks for sharing in my accomplishments with me, and the more I venture out the more I will be able to make any and all future customers happy.

dsthreadsdownsouth out for now.

Absent lately

Sept. 5, 2010

I have to apologize for not being on here in awhile. I was busy making a few outfits for my granddaughter and grandson for when school starts. They turned out really cute, and I always forget to take pictures until after I have given them to them, then I have to wait for their mom to do it, and let's just say that she does'nt get in a hurry for to many things, God love her. I actually only made 1 pair of shorts for my grandson, his mom buys the material and then brings it to me to make. It was cute material, blue and grey big checks, from what I can remember, but it had the pockets on the sides and then one on the side of the pants leg, turned out good, and I will get pictures up very soon.

I have to tell you that I think my granddaughter good become a designer when she gets older, she definitely knows what she likes, and what she does'nt. Her mom picks out her material to, and she had multi colored for a pair of capris, it was really cute, but my fashionista granddaugher said " the pants fit really good grandma, but the colors embarrass me, mom needs to let me pick them out from now on", she is 7 people!!!! I will get pics of them both soon, I hope.

I was also busy getting some oven mitt sets done up in our rival college football teams here in the state, Carolina gamecocks, and Clemson tigers. They are having a "city market" in our town on Main St. every Fri. for the month of Sept. and Oct. and I wanted to take my clothes and the oven mitt sets and see what kindof response I would receive. I didn't realize it was a holiday week-end and was a little discouraged by the turn out, I sold one oven mitt set. A lot of people loved my clothes but not enough to buy them I guess. Anyway I will keep going and see what happens, and in the mean time I will sew for my beloved public, my GRANDKIDS.


One last thing, I'm starting to sew for myself again, and am working on a kindof suit, jacket and pants for this winter, if it turns out good I will post a pic. of me wearing it, when I can get my husband to stand still long enough to take the photo. I've been busy sewing for everyone else and trying to get some coustomers that I have forgotten how to sew for ME.

That's all of my news for now, I promise it will not be so long the next time.

dsthreadsdownsouth out for now.

First attempt at quilting, sort of

August 12,2010

I have to say right off the bat, that I've never been interested in quilting. To me it takes way to long before you can see the end result, I'm to impatient I guess, I want to see my finished work as soon as possible. Now my mom quilts, ALOT, she has made quilts for all four of my kids and she made quilts for my 2 granddaughters. My youngest granddaughter still who is 4 sleeps with hers and it's her "blankey".

I was at the fabric store awhile back and they had a good price on x-mas material so I bought a few yards, a few is what I tell my husband anyway, and then I went to look in the books for a pattern. I've said before that I've never looked in the craft part of the books, until I found that purse pattern, so I looked in there for something to make out of the x-mas material.

A pattern jumped out at me with aprons on it, and it also had an oven mitt, and 2 different potholders on it. I actually bought it thinking I would make the half apron. Now all this happend at least 2 monts ago, but I've been busy sewing for the granddaughters, and trying to get more things sewn up to show potential customers, anyway it's been sitting not making itself for some reason.

To be honest when ever I get a new pattern I look over the directions and the pieces to see what all goes into making it. Well the real reason, besides being busy, I did'nt do it yet is it looked complicated. I did'nt have anything else to sew so I got it out and thought I'd try the oven mitt, and was a little intimidated because it is quilting and it did'nt make a whole lot of sense by just reading it, so I plunged in and went step by step, and the picture above is the outcome. I think it is so CUTE.

I could'nt stop at just making the oven mitt, I was on a roll, I was QUILTING now, so I made the matching pot holder today, and it turned out really well also. You can't really tell in the picture of the pot holder, but there is white thread going across the red and red thread going across the green, kindof makes the quilting stand out more. They were'nt that hard to do, once I sat down and did it, and I'm very pleased with the results.

At the top of my page I said quilting sort of, because even though it is quilting, it's not a big project like a quilt or something of that nature, but I think my mom who is a quilter, would say if it says quilting in the directions, than your a QUILTER. Yea mom. So........x-mas presents for everyone.

Thanks for dropping by and taking a look at my different projects, and I'll keep trying to surprise you and myself with what I try to do next.

dsthreadsdownsouth out for now.